thePULSEThose in Massachusetts love to sidle up to the bar and grab a beer. And often, they’ll chose a craft or specialty beer ~ in fact more than 15 percent of the time, double the national average.
New data reveal that total beer sales in Massachusetts grew by 2.2 percent, or 90,757 barrels (more than 2.8 million gallons) in 2012, to a total of just under 4.17-million barrels ~ more than 1.25-billion gallons of beer!
Nearly 82 percent of the total growth was concentrated in the craft and specialty imports categories. Much of the burgeoning interest in better beer in Massachusetts has been fueled by the work of the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance, a collaboration of five separate wholesale beer distributors who now represent more than a dozen world-class breweries throughout the Commonwealth.
New for 2013, the MBA has announced distribution partnerships with four new breweries, bringing its total portfolio to 14. New England companies that have created partnerships with the MBA are:
Newburyport Brewing Company (Newburyport, MA). The company is Massachusetts’ only exclusive “keg and can” craft brewery. It has three styles that will be available year round: Newburyport Pale Ale, Plum Island Belgian White and Green Head IPA, all available in draught and 12-ounce cans.
Grey Sail Brewing Company of Rhode Island (Westerly, R.I.). Two year-round styles will be available in 12-ounce cans and draught. There will also be seasonal-related selections available in limited quantities, including Hazy Day Belgian Wit, Leaning Chimney Smoked Porter and Autumn Winds Fest Beer. These seasonal selections will be available in draught and 16-ounce cans.
Foolproof Brewing Company (Pawtucket, R.I.). Another brick and mortar facility out of the home of the Paw-Sox, Foolproof will offer three year-round styles in draught and 12-ounce cans, plus limited releases in draught and 22-ounce bottles throughout the year. The three year-round styles are American Barstool Golden Ale, Backyahd IPA and Raincloud Robust Porter. The first limited release available will be La Ferme Urbaine Farmhouse Ale in 22-ounce bottles.
For more information, visit massbevalliance.com.
